Bible Commentaries

Jer 48:1-47.

PROPHECY AGAINST MOAB.

It had taken part with the Chaldeans against Judea

(2Ki 24:2).

Fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, when also he attacked Egypt

(Jer 43:8-13)

and Ammon

(Jer 49:1-6).

[JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 10:9,7]. Jeremiah in this prophecy uses that of

Isa 15:1-16:14,

amplifying and adapting it to his purpose under inspiration, at the same time confirming its divine authority. Isaiah, however, in his prophecy refers to the devastation of Moab by the Assyrian king, Shalmaneser; Jeremiah refers to that by Nebuchadnezzar.

1. Nebo--a mountain and town of Moab; its meaning is "that which fructifies."

Kiriathaim--a city of Moab, consisting of two cities, as the word signifies; originally held by the Emim

(Ge 14:5).

Misgab--meaning "elevation." It lay on an elevation.

2. no more praise--

(Isa 16:14).

in Heshbon--The foe having taken Heshbon, the chief city of Moab

(Jer 48:45),

in it devise evil against Moab ("it") saying, Come, &c. Heshbon was midway between the rivers Arnon and Jabbok; it was the residence of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and afterwards a Levitical city in Gad

(Nu 21:26).

There is a play on words in the Hebrew, "Heshbon, Hashbu." Heshbon means a place of devising or counsel. The city, heretofore called the seat of counsel, shall find other counsellors, namely, those who devise its destruction.

thou shall be cut down . . . Madmen--rather, by a play on words on the meaning of madmen ("silence"), Thou shalt be brought to silence, so as well to deserve thy name

(Isa 15:1).

Thou shalt not dare to utter a sound.

3. Horonaim--the same as the city Avara, mentioned by PTOLEMY. The word means "double caves"

(Ne 2:10; Isa 15:5).

4. little ones . . . cry--heightening the distress of the scene. The foe does not spare even infants.

5. going up of Luhith . . . going down of Horonaim--Horonaim lay in a plain, Luhith on a height. To the latter, therefore, the Moabites would flee with "continual weeping," as a place of safety from the Chaldeans. Literally, "Weeping shall go up upon weeping."

6. They exhort one another to flee.

heath--or the juniper (see on

Jer 17:6).

MAURER translates, "Be like one naked in the wilderness." But the sense is, Live in the wilderness like the heath, or juniper; do not "trust in" walls

(Jer 48:7)

[GROTIUS]. (Compare

Mt 24:16-18).

7. thy works--namely, fortifications built by thy work. Moab was famous for its fortresses

(Jer 48:18).

The antithesis is to

Jer 48:6,

"Be . . . in the wilderness," where there are no fortified cities.

thou . . . also--like the rest of the surrounding peoples, Judah, &c.

Chemosh--the tutelary god of Moab

(Nu 21:29; Jud 11:24; 1Ki 11:7; 2Ki 23:13).

When a people were vanquished, their gods also were taken away by the victors

(Jer 43:12).

8. the valley . . . shall perish--that is, those dwelling in the valley.